ECE 3150 - Introduction to Microelectronics

General Information

The class focuses on microelectronics. Students learn about semiconductor devices (diodes, BJTs, MOSFETs) and how they are used in analog and digital circuits. It is one of the 3000-level foundation courses.

Prerequisites

ECE 2100

Topics Covered

• Basic Semiconductor Physics
• PN Junctions and PN Diodes
• Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs)
• Field Effect MOS Transistors (MOSFETs)
• Large Signal and Small Signal Modeling of Devices and Circuits
• Single-Stage Amplifiers
• Multi-Stage Amplifiers
• Differential Amplifiers
• High Frequency Modeling of Devices and Circuits
• Digital Logic Circuits
• Static CMOS Logic Gates
• CMOS memory, SRAM, DRAM, registers

Workload

Moderate to heavy, depending on the semester and the professor teaching the course.

• Problem Sets - 8-11 total and fairly challenging and time consuming. Professor Shealy's problem sets (SP14) were bi-weekly and about half the problems were of his own creation. Otherwise, the problem sets were book problems from Razavi's Introduction to Microelectronics. Professor Afshari's (SP 12/13) problem sets were for the most part taken from the textbook. Rana (SP'15) made his own problems.
• Labs - 4-6 total, similar to those in ECE 2100.
• Exams - 2 prelims, 1 final or 1 midterm, 1 final.

Follow on Courses at the 4000 Level

• ECE 4530 (Analog Integrated Circuit Design) - Focuses on design techniques for analog circuits and picks up from where ECE 3150 ends and covers more advanced material.
• ECE 4570 (Silicon Device Fundamentals) - Covers device physics, including sub-micron transistors, in more detail than ECE 3150. Essential for those interested in devices. Helpful for those interested in circuits.
• ECE 4070 (Physics of Semiconductors and Nanostructures) Focuses on solid state and semiconductor physics and physics of nanostructures for electronic and photonic device applications.
• ECE 4740 (Digital VLSI) - Digital design using transistors. Digital VLSI design.
• ECE 4630 (Nanofabrication) Covers fabrication of semiconductor micro and nano structures and devices.
• ECE 4060 (Quantum and Statistical Physics) Not offered any more. Covered quantum physics required for understanding electronic and photonic devices. Look at equivalent courses offered in the Physics department.

Advice

• Be prepared to learn a lot of device physics and circuit design.
• Attend the sections offered by Rana - that is where you will really learn problem solving skills.
• If you are looking for a gentler introduction to microelectronic devices and circuits for poets and computer scientists, this course is not it.
• I found this class far more challenging and demanding than other 3000 level courses.
• Don't miss the lectures, or fall behind. It will be nearly impossible to catch up.
• Small signal analysis is used heavily throughout the second half of the course (and in ECE 4530) so make sure you understand it well.

Past Offerings

Semester	Time	Professor	Median Grade
Spring 2014	MWF 10:10 - 11:00	James Shealy	B+
Spring 2015	MWF 10:10 - 11:00	Farhan Rana	B+